System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled User Interface

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a frame-based internet enabled interface. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for a client-side frame based internet enabled interface. The system comprises a first frame and a second frame in a window. The first frame encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based service. The resource is requested by a user through an internet enabling software. In addition, the second frame comprises user-specific information that is related to content provided from the resource.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

The present application is a divisional application of co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 10/699,492, filed Oct. 31, 2003, and entitled:“System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled User Interface”.Priority is claimed to the filing date of the parent application, andthe entire disclosure of the parent application is incorporated at leastby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of aggregationservices. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relategenerally to client side credential based deep-linking to a third-partyinternet based service.

2. Related Art

Bill payment on-line over the Internet has the potential of making thetask of paying monthly bills simpler, easier, and more satisfying thanthe traditional method of paying bills through the mail. Payment ofbills over the Internet in the conventional art takes two forms: a billconsolidation model; and a direct billing model. Both of these modelsunsatisfactorily address the issue of consolidating all the bills of aclient at one convenient location for paying bills.

The conventional bill consolidator model comprises a consolidatedclearing house, whereupon all the services related to paying bills areaccomplished at one location. In general, the bill consolidator goes outand retrieves bills from participating billers for a particular client.In addition, the bill consolidator also processes payments on bills forthat client. In the case, where a bill consolidation is provided by abank, consolidated bills are presented to the client, and the client canprovide instructions to the bank to pay specific bills at one location,typically a web site.

While there are many problems associated with a bill consolidationmodel, the one great advantage is that the bill consolidation modelprovides a single location for a client to pay bills from variousbillers. However, problems with a bill consolidation model includecostly infrastructure setup, the inability to view details of a bill, adelayed clearing time for payment of a bill, and a single source forpayment. These problems overshadow the advantage of consolidation.

In particular, one problem associated with a bill consolidator model isthat only those billers that actively participate in the model can sendout bills and receive payments on those bills through the billconsolidator model. That is, each biller in the bill consolidator modelmust set up an electronic payment infrastructure that is compatible withthe bill consolidator. Setting up the infrastructure is time consumingand costly for the biller. As such, billers tend not to participatewithin a bill consolidator model, as additional resources must beexpended to ensure compatability with the bill consolidator.

In addition, in a bill consolidation model, the client does not have anopportunity to view bills in full. That is, the client is presented witha summary of billing information by the bill consolidator. If a clientis interested in detailed billing information, the client must referencethe paper bill sent through the mail, or call customer service. This isunacceptable in an electronic payment model, as the convenience stemsfrom avoiding sending out bills through the mail. In addition, since theclient has set up an electronic payment system with a biller, thatbiller probably will not duplicate billing by sending out a bill throughthe mail in an effort to save costs.

Further, in a bill consolidation model, the clearing time for payment ofa bill by the bill consolidator is usually delayed. The billconsolidator typically gathers up all the payments for bills to aparticular biller, and sends those payments in bulk to reduce costs. Assuch, payment of a bill of a client to a particular biller may not occurfor up to 7 days. In addition, there is no assurance by the biller to aclient that a bill has been accepted as paid. That is, there is noimmediate feedback from a biller that a bill has been paid. Thus, lastminute payments are usually avoided in a bill consolidation model.

Moreover, in a bill consolidation model, there is only a single fundingsource for the payment of a bill. For example, bill consolidation thatis provided by a bank will channel payments through the bank. As such, aclient paying bills through the bank's bill consolidation model mustcarry an account at the bank (e.g., a checking account) and make allpayments through that account. Other forms of payment are not allowed,such as, a credit card payment. As such, a client cannot choose whichmultiple forms of payment to pay a bill in a bill consolidation model.

The second form of electronic payment of bills is the direct billingmodel. Billers understand the benefits of switching to electronicpayments, such as, decreased billing costs, advertisement opportunities,etc. As such, individual billers have developed their own web sites forclients to pay bills electronically. In the direct billing model, onebiller allows their clients to pay bills electronically at one location.While there are many advantages to the direct billing model, the onegreat disadvantage that overshadows the advantages is that the directbilling model does not provide consolidation.

The direct billing model has many advantages for clients over the billconsolidation model. For example, in the direct billing model, a clientcan view richer billing information. The biller can provide entirebilling information for a client because they are only focusing onebilling account, of which the biller has full access, for a client. Inaddition, the client can dispute bills over the direct billing model.Also, in the direct billing model, the client can get immediateconfirmation of payments because the biller has the authorization by theclient to receive payment from a pre-authorized account. As a result,last minute payments are possible.

However, the disadvantage to the direct billing model is that there isno consolidation of a bills to a particular client. As a result, inorder to pay bills from a variety of billers, a client must deal witheach biller separately to make an electronic payment. That is, theclient must log onto the first direct biller's site to make a payment ona first bill. Then, after completion of the first transaction, theclient must log onto a second direct biller's site to make a payment ona second bill. This process continues for all the bills to be paidelectronically at the various direct billing sites for the variousbillers.

As a result, the bill consolidation model is too focused on paymentsonly and cannot provide the richness of billing information desired by aclient when reviewing and paying bills. Also, the direct billing modelis severely limited by providing billing services only to a singleaccount.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is needed is a method and system that combines the advantages ofthe bill consolidation model and the direct billing model.

Accordingly, various embodiments of the present invention disclose asystem and method for a frame-based internet enabled interface. In oneembodiment, a system is disclosed for a client-side frame based internetenabled interface. The system comprises a first frame and a second framein a window. A frame is encapsulates a resource from a third-partyinternet based service. The first frame encapsulates a resource from athird-party internet based service. The resource is requested by a userthrough an internet enabling software, such as a browser.

In addition, the second frame comprises user-specific information thatis related to the content provided from the resource. More specifically,the user-specific information comprises personalized information for theuser that is comprised of previously gathered information. Also, thesecond frame comprises graphical user interface control elements, suchas, buttons, checkboxes, links to other resources from other third-partyinternet based services, etc.

In another embodiment, a computer controlled method is disclosed thatprovides a frame-based internet enabled interface. An embodiment beginsby providing a first frame in a window for display to a user. The firstframe encapsulates a web page from a third party internet based service.The web page may be requested by the user through the internet enablingsoftware. The embodiment continues by providing a second frame in thewindow for display to the user. The second frame comprises user-specificinformation that is related to content provided from the resource. Assuch, the user-specific information is helpful to the user wheninterfacing with the third-party internet based service through the webpage.

In addition, in various embodiments of the present invention, by virtueof providing the frame of the resource associated with third-partyinternet based service, user interactions with the third-party internetbased service on the first frame can be observed. In addition toobservation of the interactions, other embodiments are capable ofcapturing information from the third-party internet based service asprovided in said first frame, and storing the information for lateraccess by the user.

Advantages of an electronic billing system in embodiments of the presentinvention, such as, a consolidated bill management service combines theadvantages of a bill consolidation model and a direct billing model. Assuch, the consolidated bill management service is capable of aggregatinginformation that is associated with a user and presenting thatinformation to the user in a frame-based internet enabled user-interfacewhen the user utilizes the services provided by the bill managementservice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic system that iscapable of serving as a platform for a frame-based internet enableduser-interface, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication network that includes aninformation service that is capable of setting up a deep-link between anend-user and a particular web page, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram illustrating steps for providing adeep-linking capability between an end-user and particular web page, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the communication channels openedto obtain windows viewable by an end-user that has requested access to aresource through a host portal, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a window comprising a frame-based internetenabled user interface, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating steps in a computer implementedmethod for providing a frame-based internet enabled user interface, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, a system and method for providing a frame-basedinternet enabled user interface, examples of which are illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described inconjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood thatthey are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. Onthe contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives,modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the presentinvention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will berecognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe present invention.

Notation and Nomenclature

Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented interms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolicrepresentations of operations on data bits that can be performed oncomputer memory. These descriptions and representations are the meansused by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectivelyconvey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Aprocedure, computer executed step, logic block, process, etc., is here,and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps orinstructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiringphysical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though notnecessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, andotherwise manipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient attimes, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to thesesignals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers,or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present invention,discussions utilizing terms such as “displaying,” “providing,”“observing,” “collecting,” “storing,” or the like, refer to the actionand processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computingdevice, including an embedded system, that manipulates and transformsdata represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computersystem's registers and memories into other data similarly represented asphysical quantities within the computer system memories or registers orother such information storage, transmission or display devices.

Referring to FIG. 1, embodiments of the present invention are comprisedof computer-readable and computer-executable instructions which reside,for example, in computer-readable media of a computer system that iscapable of deep-linking to a particular resource. That is, embodimentsof the present invention can be implemented on software running on acomputer system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of exemplary embedded components of such acomputer system 100 upon which embodiments of the present invention maybe implemented. The computer system can be an embedded system, apersonal computer, notebook computer, server computer, mainframe,networked computer, handheld computer, personal digital assistant,workstation, and the like.

Exemplary computer system 100 includes an internal address/data bus 120for communicating information, a central processor 101 coupled with thebus 120 for processing information and instructions, a volatile memory102 (e.g., random access memory (RAM), static RAM dynamic RAM, etc.)coupled with the bus 120 for storing information and instructions forthe central processor 101, and a non-volatile memory 103 (e.g., readonly memory (ROM), programmable ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.)coupled to the bus 120 for storing static information and instructionsfor the processor 101. Computer system 100 may also include variousforms of disc storage 104 for storing information.

With reference still to FIG. 1, an optional signal input/output (I/O)device 108 is coupled to bus 120 for providing a communication linkbetween computer system 100 and a network environment. As such, signalI/O device 108 enables the central processor unit 101 to communicatewith browsers associated with clients that are coupled to the computersystem 100. The computer system 100 is coupled to the network (e.g., theInternet) using the network connection, I/O device 108.

Credential Based Deep-Linking for Client Side Bill Payment

Accordingly, various embodiments of the present invention disclose asystem and method for providing a frame-based internet enableduser-interface. As a result, in an electronic billing system, aconsolidated bill management service is provided that combines theadvantages of a bill consolidation model and a direct billing model. Assuch, the consolidated bill management service is capable of aggregatinginformation that is associated with a user and presenting thatinformation to the user in a frame-based internet enabled user-interfacewhen the user utilizes the services provided by the bill managementservice.

Although embodiments of the present invention are described within thecontext of a portal bill management service and other third-partyinternet based billing services, other embodiments are well suited toother types of services provided by a consolidating portal that gatherinformation from and provide access to varying third party internetbased services. For example, embodiments of the present invention aresuited to supporting a consolidated investment trading service thatgathers information from and provides access to direct or third-partytrading services.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an exemplary communicationnetwork 200 is disclosed that is capable of supporting the credentialbased deep-linking to an internet based service, or more specifically, aparticular resource (e.g., a web page) in the internet based service, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this way, abill management service is capable of supporting a client side billpayment model that is capable of deep-linking between a client-deviceassociated with an end user and a third party-internet based service toallow the end-user to utilize services provided by the third partyinternet based service.

While embodiments of the present invention are directed to internetbased services that comprise bill management services, other embodimentsof the present invention are well suited to internet based services thatcomprise other services, such as, stock trading services, travelservices, etc.

The communication network 100 is comprised of an internet enablingsoftware 220 (e.g., browser) that is associated with a client device orcomputer, the internet 210, an information service (e.g., billmanagement service 230), and a plurality of third-party internet basedservices 240 that are coupled together through the communication network200. The end-user via the internet enabling software 220 and theinternet 210 accesses the bill management service 230 to obtain and viewinformation provided by the third-party internet based services 240 inorder to utilize the services of the internet based services 240. Forexample, in one embodiment, the end-user through the internet enablingsoftware 220 and the internet 210 accesses the bill management service230 to set up direct-links between the internet enabling software 220and each of the plurality of third-party internet based services 240 fordirect payment of bills.

In addition, the information service 230 accesses each of the pluralityof third-party internet based services 240 through the internet 210 toaggregate information that is particular to the end-user associated withthe internet enabling software 220. As such, each of the plurality ofthird-party internet based services 240 contain and comprise informationthat is specific to the end-user. Also, in one embodiment, each of thethird-party internet based services provide credential access to thatinformation to those who provide the proper credentials. For example, inan electronic billing application, the bill management service 230periodically accesses each of a plurality of direct billing third-partyinternet based services to retrieve billing information that is specificto the client

The internet 210, in general, comprises a set of computer networks thatare communicatively coupled together to enable the transfer of databetween nodes within the Internet 140. Communication is enabled througha common suite of protocols, such as, the transmission controlprotocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). Although the present embodiment isdisclosed using the Internet 210, other embodiments are well suited todeep-linking to a particular web page through any network, such as aLAN, or a wide area network (WAN), etc.

FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram 300 illustrating the ability of the billmanagement service 230 to provide deep-linking to a specific resource,or web page, 335 in a third-party internet based service 330, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In theelectronic billing environment, the bill management service 230 iscapable of using deep-linking techniques to leverage the existingservices provided by a plurality of third-party internet based services,such as, the third-party internet based service 330. That is, the billmanagement service 230 is able to provide the services of thethird-party internet based service 330 directly to the client throughthe internet enabling software 220 through frames in a window, asprovided for in embodiments of the present invention.

As a preliminary step, the end-user has initiated services with the billmanagement service 230 and the third-party internet based service 330.That is, the end-user has initiated an account with the bill managementservice 230. In that way, the bill management service 230 can providesecure access to aggregated billing information solely for the end-user.In addition, the client has preliminarily activated and initiatedelectronic bill payment services with the third-party internet basedservice 330. That is, the end-user has initiated an electronic billpayment service with the third-party internet based service thatprovides for direct billing, such as, a direct billing site associatedwith a utility company. Also, the third-party internet based service 330provides credential access to the billing information particular to theend-user. In that way, the direct billing site can provide secure accessto the billing information to those who provide the correct credentials,such as, the client and agents of the end-user (e.g. the bill managementservice 230).

The end-user has preliminarily provided the bill management service 230with the proper credentials to access the third-party internet basedservice 330. The credentials are stored in the pin vault 340 for accessby the bill management service 230. For example, the credentialscomprise user identification and user password necessary for access tothe third-party internet based service 330, in one embodiment. Otherembodiments are well suited to supporting other credential informationspecific to other third-party internet based services.

Since the bill management service 230 has the correct credentialinformation associated with the end-user, the bill management service230 can act on behalf of the end-user to access billing information 350accessible on the third-party internet based service 330. The billinginformation is particular to the end-user. That is, the bill managementservice 230 periodically accesses the third-party internet based service330 to scrape or gather billing information 350 that is specific to theend-user. Aggregation of the billing information 350 can occur in batchmode or real time mode, in embodiments of the present invention.

In particular, this process does not require the direct participation onthe part of the direct billers associated with the plurality ofthird-party internet based services (e.g., service 330), in oneembodiment. Nor does this process require any technology changes on thepart of the direct billers from which billing information is aggregated.That is, any pre-existing third-party internet based service, e.g., website, an open financial exchange (OFX) server, etc., is leveraged toprovide deep-linking to particular web sites for utilizing servicesprovided at the web sites.

The billing information 350 includes specific details of billinginformation, such as, total amount due, etc. This billing information isorganized in summary form and sent to the internet enabling software 220for presentment to the end-user. Consolidation of billing informationfrom multiple direct billing third-party internet based services ispossible, in another embodiment. As such, a consolidation of billinginformation in summary form is presented to the client via the internetenabling software 220.

In addition, the billing information 350 that is gathered from thethird-party internet based service 330 includes other navigationinformation that outlines the infrastructure of the third-party internetbased service 330. In that way, relationships between specificinformation that is associated with a specific resource 335 in thethird-party internet based service 330 are gathered and sent to the billmanagement service 230. For example, the specific resource 335 mayprovide the interface for paying a specific bill discovered in thebilling information 350.

More particularly, specific navigation information is provided to helpnavigate to that specific resource 335. The navigation information mayinclude a uniform resource locator (URL), list of web pages, cookieinformation, or other parameters that set up the infrastructure of thethird-party internet based service 330.

The bill management service 230 provides in summary form a consolidatedview of all the billing information gathered from a plurality ofthird-party internet based services. Included within this view isbilling information 350 gathered form the third-party internet basedservice 330. For example, billing information 350 may compriseinformation pertaining to a specific bill that is payable via specificresource 335.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 illustrating the communication channelsopened to obtain windows viewable by an end-user that has requestedaccess to a resource over a communication network, such as the internet,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4,the end-user is associated with the internet enabling software 220, suchas, a browser.

The end-user through the internet enabling software 220 has establishedcommunication with a bill management service 230, as shown bycommunication path 425. As a result, the bill management service 230 isable to transmit for display a web page 420 that includes in summary aview of billing information, as described previously.

For example, the information is provided in a table format that providesin a consolidated view of billing information that is specific to theend-user, in one embodiment. Although the present embodiment provides aconsolidation of billing information in a table format, otherembodiments are well suited to presenting billing information in otherformats, such as a list.

In FIG. 4, billing information is provided in the bill managementservice web page 420 for a variety of bills. For instance, a summary offirst billing information 350 is included, a summary of second billinginformation 425 is included, on up to a summary of n^(th) billinginformation 427. The first billing information 350 is shown in FIG. 3also. Each of the billing information 350, 425, and 427 is related to aseparate bill, that can be serviced through an associated biller website, that is presented to the end-user in the web page 420.

Each of the billing information 350, 425, and 427 was previouslygathered and aggregated by the bill management service 230 from anassociated third-party internet based service. For example, billinginformation 350 was gathered from resource 335 of FIG. 3. The billinginformation may include total amount due, total charges accumulated,etc. Items in the summary view are selectable by the bill managementservice 230, in one embodiment, or by the end-user, in anotherembodiment, or a combination of both, in other embodiments.

In addition, an associated pay bill button, or link, is provided thatwhen activated sets up and creates a direct link to an associatedresource for services. For example, pay bill link 423 sets up adeep-link to an associated resource, e.g. resource 335, to allow theend-user to make payment on the first billing information 350. Also, paybill link 426 sets up a deep-link to an associated resource to allow theend-user to make payment on the second billing information 425.Moreover, pay bill link 428 sets up a deep-link to an associatedresource to allow the end-user to make payment on the n^(th) billinginformation 427.

More particularly, activation of the pay bill link 423 enablesdeep-linking by the internet enabling software 220 on the client deviceto the associated web page, resource 335, as shown by the deep-linkcommunication path 435. As a result, a deep-link is created to directlylink the internet enabling software 220 with the resource 335 so thatthe end-user can utilize payment services on the resource 335 to makepayment on the first billing information 350. The deep-link is presentedto the end-user in a separate frame or window 500, as shown in FIG. 5.As such, two separate channels of communication are established for theclient through the internet enabling software 220.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a window 500 that provides aninternet enabled interface between an end-user and a third-partyinternet based service, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The window 500 is presented to the end-user to provide theinternet-enabled interface. The window 500 is associated with a hostportal, such as, a consolidated billing service, that provides directaccess to the content provided in the window 500 for an end-user.

The window 500 is comprised of a frame 510. The frame 510 encapsulates aresource from a third-party internet based service as requested by theend-user through an internet enabling software. In this way, a directcommunication link is established between the internet enabling softwareand the third party internet based service to provide an interface forthe user with the third-party internet based service through the frame510. As such, the end-user can interface with the third-party internetbased service through the frame 510 as enabled by the internet enablingsoftware.

For example, the frame 510 comprises the third party internet enabledresource 335 of FIG. 4. In this way, the end-user can utilize theservices as provided by the internet based service 330 to pay a billthat is associated with billing information 350. As such, payment of thebill is completed through the interface with the third party internetenabled resource 335 as established in frame 510.

The request for access to the third-party internet based resource isinitiated at a host portal by the end-user to request the resource. Inone embodiment, another direct communication link is established andsimultaneously continued between the internet enabling software and thehost portal that provides a consolidation service, such as a billmanagement service. In that case, when the link to the third-partyinternet based resource in frame 510 is de-activated, the end-user stillhas communication with the host portal associated with the billmanagement service.

The window 500 also comprises a frame 520. The frame 520 comprisesuser-specific information that is related to content provided from theresource that is displayed in frame 510. The user-specific informationis displayed in the frame 520 via text blocks, in one embodiment. Forinstance, block 522 contains the name of the end-user. Blocks 523 and525 contain other text information that is personal to the end-user.

The user-specific information may comprise personalized information thatis pertinent or helpful to the interfacing between the end-user and thethird-party internet based service. For instance, the personalizedinformation contains a bank balance in block 523, associated with theend-user, from which the end-user can determine if there are sufficientfunds to pay a specific bill. In this case, the first frame 510 providesan interface to the third-party internet based service that enables theend-user to pay a specific bill. In another case, the personalizedinformation may contain frequent flier mileage that is associated withthe end-user when the end-user is interfacing with and accessing athird-party internet enabled travel service. Other personalizedinformation, such as, personalized advertisements, is well-suited fordisplay within the frame 520 to provide information to the end-user thatis pertinent to his or her interfacings with the third-party internetbased resource as provided in frame 510.

In another embodiment, the window 500 is capable of supporting multipleframes that encapsulate multiple resources from various third partyinternet based services. For example, the window 500 comprises a thirdframe, wherein the third frame encapsulates another resource, or webpage, from another third-party internet based service. This otherresource is also requested by the end-user through an interface with thehost portal. As such, the frame 520 also would comprise otheruser-specific information that is related to content provided from thethird frame.

In another embodiment, the frame 510 comprises one or moreuser-interface control elements. For example, control element 529provides for an actionable interface to the end-user. Any type ofcontrol element 529 is suitable, such as, a control button, checkbox,link to a web page, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart 600 is disclosed illustratingsteps in a computer implemented method for providing a frame-basedinternet enabled user interface, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. The flow chart 600 is implemented upon request byan end-user to access a resource from a portal web site that providesconsolidation services. The consolidation service, such as, a billconsolidation service, provides a summary of information gathered fromvarious third-party internet enabled services, and provides access tothose third-party internet enabled services. A separate communicationlink or path is established between an internet enabling softwareassociated with the end-user and the host web site, in one embodiment.

The present embodiment begins by displaying a first frame in a windowfor display to an end-user, in 610. The first frame encapsulates a webpage, or resource, from a third party internet based service. Aspreviously described, the end user requests assess to the web page froma portal web site. Communication between the end-user and the portal website, as well as the third-party internet based service is providedthrough an internet enabling software.

The present embodiment has established a deep-link to the resource.

Deep-linking the internet enabling software to the resource associatedthird-party internet based service, allows the end-user more detailedaccess to information. For example, the direct deep-link enables theend-user to navigate through the third-party internet based service toview more detailed billing information that is provided by thethird-party internet based service. In addition, the deep-linkestablishes a communication path between the internet enabling softwareand the third-party internet based service to provide an interface forthe end-user with the third-party internet based service through thefirst frame.

At 620, the present embodiment displays a second frame. The second framecomprises user-specific information that is related to content providedfrom the resource. In one embodiment, some of the user-specificinformation previously was determined by gathering information fromvarious third-party internet based services and aggregating thatinformation. As previously described, the user-specific information maycomprise banking balance information, frequent flier mileageinformation, trading account information, etc.

In another embodiment, the first frame comprises a user-interfacecontrol element. In this way, actionable items can be provided to theend-user outside of the interface with the third-party internet basedresource. The user-interface control element can comprise, a controlbutton, checkbox, link, etc. For example, the control element can beconfigured to provide a means for de-activating the deep-link to thethird-party internet based resource, and returning to the host web site.

In another embodiment, a third frame is displayed in the window. Thethird frame encapsulates a second resource from another third-partyinternet based service as requested by the user through the internetenabling software. For example, the third frame may contain billinginformation related to another bill. As such, the second frame comprisesother user-specific information that is related to the content providedfrom the second resource.

In another embodiment, the end-user actions with the resource in thefirst frame are observed and noted. As such, the interfacing between theend-user and the third-party internet based service can be monitored.For instance, the actions of paying a bill by the end-user is observedand noted. In one embodiment, the actions are sent to the host web sitefor storage. In that way, the end-user is able to query the host website to determine if a particular bill has been paid through thethird-party internet based resource.

Further, information that is provided by the third-party internet basedresource in the first frame is captured. The information that iscaptured is stored for later access by the end-user. In one embodiment,the information that is captured is sent to the host web site forstorage.

For example, when an end-user pays a bill through the third-partyinternet based resource, a confirmation number is passed back to theend-user via the first frame. The confirmation number is captured, andstored. The confirmation number is stored at the host web site, such as,the consolidated billing service host site. As such, at a later time,the confirmation number may be accessed by the end-user to determinewhether a bill has been paid or not through the third-party internetbased resource that is associated with the third-party internet basedservice.

While the methods of embodiments illustrated in flow chart 600 showspecific sequences and quantity of steps, the present invention issuitable to alternative embodiments. For example, not all the stepsprovided for in the method are required for the present invention.Furthermore, additional steps can be added to the steps presented in thepresent embodiment. Likewise, the sequences of steps can be modifieddepending upon the application.

Embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for aframe-based internet enabled user interface have been described. Whilethe invention is described in conjunction with the preferredembodiments, it is understood that they are not intended to limit theinvention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention isintended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of thepresent invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, itwill be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe present invention.

1. A method for providing a frame-based internet enabled interface,comprising: displaying a first frame in an on-screen window of agraphical user interface for display to a user, wherein said first frameencapsulates a resource from a third party internet based service asrequested by said user through said internet enabling software; anddisplaying a second frame in said on-screen window, wherein said secondframe comprises user-specific information that is related to contentprovided from said resource.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: deep linking to said resource associated with saidthird-party internet based service.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: recording user actions with said third-party internet basedservice on said first frame.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: capturing information from said third-party internet basedservice as provided in said first frame; and storing said informationfor subsequent access by said user.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: establishing a first direct communication link between saidinternet enabling software and said third-party internet based serviceto provide an interface for said user with said third-party internetbased service through said first frame.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising: establishing a second direct communication linkbetween said internet enabling software and a host portal that providesa bill management service, wherein said request is initiated at saidhost portal by said user to request said resource.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: displaying a user-interface control elementin said first frame.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:displaying a third frame in said on-screen window, wherein said thirdframe encapsulates a second resource from another third-party internetbased service as requested by said user through said internet enablingsoftware, wherein said second frame comprises other user-specificinformation that is related to other content provided from said secondresource.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said third party internetbased service comprises a direct-biller web site
 10. The method of claim1, wherein said internet enabling software comprises a browser.
 11. Acomputer system comprising: a processor; and a computer readable memorycoupled to said processor and containing program instructions that, whenexecuted, implement a method for providing a frame-based internetenabled interface, comprising: displaying a first frame in an on-screenwindow of a graphical user interface for display to a user, wherein saidfirst frame encapsulates a resource from a third party internet basedservice as requested by said user through said internet enablingsoftware; and displaying a second frame in said on-screen window,wherein said second frame comprises user-specific information that isrelated to content provided from said resource.
 12. The computer systemof claim 11, wherein said method further comprises: deep linking to saidresource associated with said third-party internet based service. 13.The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises: recordinguser actions with said third-party internet based service on said firstframe.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said method furthercomprises: capturing information from said third-party internet basedservice as provided in said first frame; and storing said informationfor subsequent access by said user.
 15. The method of claim 11, whereinsaid method further comprises: establishing a first direct communicationlink between said internet enabling software and said third-partyinternet based service to provide an interface for said user with saidthird-party internet based service through said first frame.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises: establishinga second direct communication link between said internet enablingsoftware and a host portal that provides a bill management service,wherein said request is initiated at said host portal by said user torequest said resource.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein said methodfurther comprises: displaying a user-interface control element in saidfirst frame.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein said method furthercomprises: displaying a third frame in said on-screen window, whereinsaid third frame encapsulates a second resource from another third-partyinternet based service as requested by said user through said internetenabling software, wherein said second frame comprises otheruser-specific information that is related to other content provided fromsaid second resource.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein said thirdparty internet based service comprises a direct-biller web site
 20. Themethod of claim 11, wherein said internet enabling software comprises abrowser.